iPhone 4 maker has issued rival Samsung with yet another new lawsuit, as the tussle between the phone giants continues.
Apple has filed a lawsuit on South Korean based Samsung’s home turf – in retaliation of a case the latter filed in the country as well as Germany and Japan, Reuters reports, citing court official sources.
This is the latest twist in the ongoing battle between the iPhone and Galaxy S makers, which began when the Cupertino based Apple filed a patent suit against its Korean rivals, claiming Samsung copied the the “look and feel” iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad for its Galaxy smartphones and tabs on April 15.
The alleged Apple clones included including the Galaxy S 4G, Epic 4G, Nexus S and Galaxy Tab.
Apple also demanded to view protoypes of at the time unreleased Galaxy models including the Galaxy S II smartphone.
However, Samsung subsequently countersued and demanded to view Apple’s unreleased iPhone 5 and iPad 3, arguing surrendering unreleased devices to a rival would give its rival an unfair competitive advantage.
However, just last week it emerged Apple upped its patent claims which have became far more aggressive – accusing Samsung of devious anti competitive behaviour and “slavisly” coping its designs – just as its Android foe launched its much awaited Honeycomb 3.0 10.1″ Galaxy Tab in the US – which may pose as a serious rival to iPad 2, Apple’s star product.
Samsung “has been even bolder” than any of its other rivals, “blatantly [imitating] the appearance of Apple’s products to capitalize on Apple’s success” Steve Jobs company said in a new file lodged to US courts late last week.
Apple is also accusing its arch enemy of patents violations on a wider litany of other Samsung handsets: Exhibit 4G, Galaxy Ace, Galaxy Prevail, Galaxy S (i9000), Gravity, Infuse 4G, Nexus S 4G, Replenish, Sidekick, Galaxy Tab 10.1, and Galaxy S II.
And Apple’s rival have also just launched it’s Galaxy S II, already regarded a cult product and tipped as far superior to the iPhone.
Read iPad 2 Sweats As Samsung Galaxy 10.1 Tab Unleashed, Apple Slings Mud
When contacted by Reuters, Apple was sticking to its guns, saying: “It is no coincidence that Samsung’s latest products look a lot like the iPhone and iPad from the shape of the hardware to the user interface and even the packaging,” the spokesman said.
One of the interesting aspects about this protracted legal battle is that Apple are Samsung’s second biggest customer after Sony and have close commercial ties.
Just last week an Apple source indicated the two companies were in high level talks to resolve the patent issue after a court recommendation.
And just this week, it was rumoured Samsung would be the manufacturers behind Apple’s proposed internet ready LED TV sets.
